{"id":139661,"date":"2023-08-12T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-08-12T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=139661"},"modified":"2023-08-12T09:49:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-12T13:49:57","slug":"vancouver-canucks-add-needed-defensive-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/08\/12\/vancouver-canucks-add-needed-defensive-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Canucks Add Needed Defensive Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterpi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pius Suter<\/a><\/strong>, long rumoured to be signing a contract with the Vancouver Canucks, has done just that. This signing fits a need for the Canucks.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Canucks<\/a> have agreed to terms with forward Pius Suter on a two-year contract with a $1.6M AAV.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Canucks\/status\/1690075088966811648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pius Suter<\/strong> Fills the Blank<\/h2>\n<p>The Canucks have needed what is classically referred to as a &#8220;third-line centre&#8221; ever since their <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/horvabo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bo Horvat<\/a><\/strong> trade. With the long pause between <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bluegte01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Teddy Blueger<\/a><\/strong>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyhive.com\/vancouver\/fun-facts-new-canucks-forward-teddy-blueger\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">signing<\/a> and this one, there was some speculation Blueger would be it.<\/p>\n<p>It wouldn&#8217;t have been a terrible decision &#8211; Blueger could still have some upside &#8211; Suter is a lock. The former Red Wing took his time breaking into the league, and at 27 years old is just a three-year veteran. But his role in both <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit<\/a> was as a solid, bottom-six centre with a strong defensive game. That&#8217;s the theory, anyway. It actually played out somewhat differently.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, Suter ended up playing substantial time with top Red Wings <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larkidy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Larkin<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/raymolu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lucas Raymond<\/a><\/strong>. You would think, given that match, he would get more points. Instead, while he&#8217;s a good option for depth scoring, he became a vital part of their penalty kill. Which, it bears repeating, the Vancouver Canucks desperately need.<\/p>\n<h3>Need Him, Need Him, Got Him<\/h3>\n<p>The Canucks will pencil in<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterpi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Pius Suter<\/a><\/strong> their primary penalty-killing centre. As much as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/petteel01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elias Pettersson<\/a><\/strong> wants the spot &#8211; shades of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sedinhe01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henrik Sedin<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; there&#8217;s a reason not to use him there. Killing penalties is a LOT of work, and it&#8217;s ice time that&#8217;s unlikely to bring scoring chances. Fun idea to sneak him out in the last 20 seconds, though, just to keep the power play on its toes.<\/p>\n<p>Suter is the best expectation for an undrafted player &#8211; outside envelope-destroying stars like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stlouma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin St. Louis<\/a><\/strong>, that is. He&#8217;s a thoughtful, experienced forward who found a niche in the NHL. Breaking in at 24 years old, he provided some depth scoring for a Blackhawks team that was happy for anyone who managed it.<\/p>\n<p>Time in Detroit refined his game. He went from a utility forward playing wherever was needed to a defensive specialist as the Red Wings improved. The goals Suter has scored &#8211; 14, 15, and 14 in his past three years &#8211; were nice additions to his game. In fact, his 43 already tops Blueger&#8217;s career 35. Blueger will just have to polish his Stanley Cup ring if it becomes an issue.<\/p>\n<h3>Fight! Fight! Fight!<\/h3>\n<p>Vancouver improves where they most needed it &#8211; with a penalty-killing centre. In a perfect world, Suter would be right-handed, but otherwise, he should be an excellent fit on the Canucks. The contract he signed is good value, with neither trade protection nor bonus money to be paid. It&#8217;s a straightforward $1.6 million per season for a role they need filled.<\/p>\n<p>This does put the Canucks over the salary cap by nearly $5 million. While there is the potential to use <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/poolmtu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tucker Poolman<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pearsta01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tanner Pearson<\/a><\/strong> on LTIR, Pearson has said otherwise. As of July, both he and the team have said he&#8217;s going to be ready to go by training camp. Looks like seven (surgeries) is his lucky number!<\/p>\n<p>This does bring an actual battle for spots to Vancouver&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/03\/27\/why-the-canucks-depth-matters\/\" target=\"_self\">bottom six<\/a>. The pleasant surprise that was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/amanni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nils \u00c5man<\/a><\/strong> is now in direct competition with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bluegte01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Teddy Blueger<\/a><\/strong> at centre on the fourth line. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/driessh01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sheldon Dries<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; very effective in minimal ice time &#8211; will also make his voice heard. The pressure is on for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/studnja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-11_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Studnicka<\/a><\/strong> to re-find his place on the team.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, this is a very good signing at a reasonable price. Not everyone is happy with the Vancouver Canucks direction, but Patrik Allvin is proving to be a decent navigator.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pius Suter, long rumoured to be signing a contract with the Vancouver Canucks, has done just that. This signing fits a need for the Canucks. General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forward Pius Suter on a two-year contract with a $1.6M AAV. &mdash; Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) August [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3171,"featured_media":139674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,4547,4548],"tags":[1764,5551,4762,1350,2434,5892],"class_list":["post-139661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canucks","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-jack-studnicka","tag-nils-aman","tag-pius-suter","tag-sheldon-dries","tag-teddy-blueger","tag-vancouver-canucks-analysis"],"modified_by":"Alec Roberson","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3171"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}